Thiago Silva is "without a weakness" and better than the great central defenders of the last two decades, Laurent Blanc has told French media.

Blanc, 47, was known as one of the classiest centre-backs around during a career that saw him win both the World Cup and European Championship.

And after seeing Silva's display against Barcelona in PSG's 2-2 Champions League draw at the Parc des Princes this week, Blanc said the 28-year-old Brazil captain was better than the likes of Franco Baresi, Matthias Sammer - and himself.

"He's better than any of those you could mention. For me, he's the best defender in the world. In the end, silverware will make the difference, but his qualities make him stronger," Blanc told Le Parisien.

"He's complete - he has no weakness. He's a modern defender. He has something more: when he has the ball, he knows what to do with it."

"No-one's technique is as assured as Thiago Silva, who uses all his qualities, technical and physical. As he's only 28, he's got some good years still ahead of him."

But PSG legend Rai told the RMC radio station: "For me, he's the best defender in the world.

"When he's on the pitch, he reassures everyone else - the defensive midfielders, the goalkeeper and the forwards, who know that, if they score, there's someone who's capable of holding on to that lead."

Bayern Munich defender Dante, a former team-mate of Silva's at Juventude, told RMC: "He's a great player, one of the top three defenders in the world. I wouldn't be able to tell you his faults."